Lyrical Voices 6 Year Anniversary Thank You! "It's Madness" Nathan P. Fundraiser Thank You!!! LOVE.

LYRICAL VOICES 6 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! THANK YOU!

6 Years! The past year has been triumphant to say the least. Phenix has completed his cd. Many have slammed and won or published their work. Others fell in love, got engaged, married, and pregnant. We watched Xavier evolve from an inability to walk into a walking, recording, creating man in constant motion. Some have pursued their visions of acting. Some have done something simple and complicated (simplicated, as coined by Alicia Cobb) as getting on the mic and saying things they no longer wanted to hold inside. We are constantly touching these visions that we may have once resigned to the role of a dream instead of reality. I say that is worthy of a beautiful celebration!

As a community and as individuals, we have faced many obstacles and there is a beauty in the way we survive them, purge them, and regain our composure so we can come together again. We say, “look where I’ve been, I have survived this, I hurt so much while that happened, check out how I healed with no idea of my possibilities”. We look at the people in front of us and sincerely say, “I haven’t always known I am beautiful, but I discovered it in the mirror this morning. I discovered it in the voice of my child, in the hug of a friend, in a gospel song, in a poem, in the adoration of a lover…I found my beautiful” That is what Lyrical Voices has become, this safe haven for ideas, beliefs, and growth.

I feel blessed to take part in this experience. I don’t know why I was chosen for such a task, but it has helped me blossom as an artist, a friend, and a leader. There has always been a fire in my spirit and Lyrical Voices ignites me each time I step in front of you all and free myself of energy that sometimes gets held onto so tightly it feels like it’s in my blood. It is a great feeling to have a place that reminds you of who you really are when the world makes it so easy to forget.
Happy Anniversary!!!!

Queen GodIs, we thank you for the love and energy you brought into this anniversary. Your words and spirit settle into the bone and we love your light. Ngoma, we honor you with true love and respect. Thank you for all your contributions to this artistic community. Thanks to all the poets who participated in our tribute to poets who came before us, Mind Evolution, Midnight, NuNuu, Frederick Douglass, Croilot, Buddha, and Tantra! It is our job to keep those words alive as I hope someone does our words in the future. Thank you for delivering this tribute with authentic passion and love for inspiration.
Thank You!!!
LOVE.
Shanna






THANK YOUR FOR ATTENDING "IT'S MADNESS!!! NATHAN P FUNDRAISER

Tantra and I spoke on how we can help Nathan P during this rough time and we decided to honor him for a night while raising money to help him with medical expenses as he deals with Lupus. When we put out the call for poets not one hesitated to donate their time, art, and products to create a full evening in celebration of this wonderful man. Queen GodIs worked it out so The B~Hive would donate the space and she helped bring the evening full circle in a way only she could...in a full circle of spirit!!!Thank you for being so supportive and gifting Nathan so much motivation to get better. He is a warrior for us as friends and artists and when he needs us we are showing up. It was humbling to sit in that room among poets who have been for so many years and who hold the same passion for art. Nathan spoke to me about how appreciative he is and I hear the love in his voice. It is an honor to be an artist among such great artists. Let's continue to work and help our brother heal.

If people who were unable to attend want to continue donations they can be sent to...
(checks payable to Nathaniel Pearson, Jr.)
Nathaniel Pearson, Jr.
c/o Diamond and Company (Attention Deb Williams)
444 West 49th Street, #3D
NYC, NY 10019

LOVE.
~Shanna



(Photo's provided by Baron ~ www.artistbaron.com)